sparkling wednesday

Today's post is about taking a break. Taking a moment in the middle of your week to say "okay... here's what I need right now." Today I needed some freaking chocolate covered pomegranate seeds. So when I gave myself a break around 2pm today I made sure that they happened. 

I am teaming up with Ozarka® Sparkling Waters to help you relax this Wednesday, so how do you like to treat yourself during the week? Do you have a midweek ritual that helps you make it to the weekend?

Every hump day Ozarka® is sharing some of their favorite ways to feel good and escape the midweek hump.  Head over to their Facebook page every #HumpDay to have a feel good moment and share your own!

Happy Hump Day!

This post is sponsored by Ozarka® Brand Sparkling Natural Spring Waters.

center of the universe

In July I had the pleasure of being a vendor at the first ever Center of the Universe Festival here in Tulsa. It was hot, hot, hot, but I decide to go to let people know about my shop grand opening. I handed out almost 1000 grand opening flyers and got heat sickness, re-sprained my ankle, and battled a thunderstorm with my products made out of - that's right - paper. 

But you know what? At least 50 people who went through my shop this week met me there. They have told their friends, and my network of supporters has grown and grown thanks to that two days of sacrifice. So that's what I'm reflecting on today as I wear my commemorative COU tank top - with a little bit of hard work and sacrifice up front you never know what might come to be.

flock of seagulls

This dress reminds me of Chandler's wonderful 80's hair in the flashback episodes of Friends (which were always my favorite). I saw a trend report recently that told everyone to throw out their bird prints and embrace "non-floral, natural prints," which I clearly listened to. Not really.

Truth is that this is the FIRST bird print thing I have ever owned and I just got it, so I'm not about to let it go that easily. Those lists are stupid anyway; who wants to sheepishly follow all fashion trends? Except for the bird print one. That one's okay because I like it.

be a little brave

Today I rode my bike to work, and for me, that's brave.

I only live about 15 blocks from my shop, but I was wearing a dress (with shorts underneath! Always!) and carrying a super heavy backpack, so the 15 blocks were plenty long. When I made it to work I felt like I have really accomplished something.

Then later on this morning a sweet girl came in to the shop to buy her sister a present. This sister, she told me, was constantly trying to conquer her fears and she did that by repeatedly skydiving, despite the fact she hates both heights and falling. When the girl checked out she had finally decided to get her sister a set of three charms that featured Thor and the two words: Jump now. 

Fitting, right?

So what's that little thing that needs some bravery to conquer? Whether it's biking to work or sky diving, showing off some white Irish legs or facing an upcoming presentation, be a little brave and jump now. Conquering fear is always worth it.

fake first day

Today is my first regular day at the shop and it is so strange not to have a to-do list that needs to be frenziedly attended to in order to be ready for an upcoming something. Today I'm just here, at the shop, no pressing deadlines, and it feels amazing. It's the first chance I've gotten to just stop and look around at this place. It's still sinking in that it's mine.

Because that's what happens when dreams come true, isn't it? We look around and think, this is it right? This is what I wanted? And when the answer is yes you have to just slow down, get out of your head, and be happy about it. It's real and YOU did that. So today I'm just giving myself permission to enjoy my hard work and my real first day on the job.

welcome to the bookerie!

So as I let you in on a few weeks ago, I opened a shop on Saturday. A real live shop, like with people who shop there and everything. I know there are a lot of shops in the world, but somehow I feel like this is revolutionary. My shop feels like something that's been inside of me for a long time. I've never lived anywhere I could paint the walls or the furniture as an adult and this little room is the one place where everything is exactly where I want it to be.

This is my shop.

new home

When we got married I moved into John's apartment, so this feels like our first house. It's an adorable duplex 13 blocks from my new shop, which makes it feel like we've moved to a whole new city without leaving Tulsa. I've been unpacking like crazy to get everything ready before I have to unpack like crazy at the shop. Here are a few quick snaps.

back in black

Alright, you miss me yet? I know it's been a good long time, but I am finally back to a point where I can start blogging again! New home is almost all settled (pics to come!) and my closet looks like a place one could actually track down something to wear. 

Tommorrow (TOMORROW!) I get the keys to my new shop! We're cooking with gas now - literally. My new stove is gas. But anyway, having the shop keys is going to mean leaving the house in real clothes, so back to blogging it is!

Here we go!

a big dream

So after a year of staying home and making book-y goodies, I will be opening my own shop! Could not be happier or more blessed. I am so excited!

I am also excited because the shop will make me a so much better blogger - hello great downtown Tulsa photo backdrops and a daily reason to wear cute clothes! Excited!

In the meantime, expect me to continue being a little invisible, but come August, it's gonna get real!

i've been mia...

Like really super MIA - but I promise I have a good reason! As you may or may not have followed along and learned, I got a job that I had to leave almost immediately for personal reasons. In the wake of that, I have recommitted myself to my business with new fervor and I am hoping to expand in new ways while continuing to teach next year. In the past two weeks I have doubled the number of recycled book products that I offer and I still have more on the drawing board! Check out my updated shop here!

I am preparing so much so quickly because I am also getting ready to take two separate weeks of vacation - next week with family in Iowa, and the next week at a cabin with the hubby in the Ozarks! So basically, I'm trying to do three weeks of work in one, and the blog is getting "back burner-ed" for the time being. Stay tuned for more stuff when I actually start having some kind of schedule again later in June.

everything changes

Sometimes, just like that, everything changes. I thought I knew exactly what my next 12 months were going to look like, and suddenly it all changed. Now I'm facing a time in my life that I haven't planned for, and it's all exciting, but it's scary too. So just like the colors I'm wearing, I'm feeling a little, well, unusual lately. So here's to jumping and hoping the net will appear.

the saltys

I just wanted to share a quick post about these awesome "trophies" husband and I made for his school service awards. John teaches middle school religion at a Catholic school and so he wanted to do something extra special to acknowledge the kids that had gone above and beyond with their service hours this year - thus the "Saltys" were born! They are based on the Biblical ideal of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world - so salt and light bulbs! We did different size bulbs for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd most hours in each grade and the kids loved them!

oh, shoes and bags, let me count the ways I love thee

In my very brief stint as a working women (more on that later) I have already rediscovered my love for shoes that seem weird to just wear around the apartment, and therefore have gone utterly unworn for the longest time - but no longer! Even though my job was short lived, my love for these shoes will not be, and I'm thinking some new ones might be forthcoming now that I've found a new site to fall in love with. Ummm, check these out.

I'm a shoe and bag girl, so ShoeDazzle is like my dream store. Prices are super reasonable (Look at them!), styles are cute and - this is a big one for me - the styles aren't what you would find at the mall or in chain shoe stores. Shoes are about the only thing I don't often buy used or vintage and so they are my most likely splurge item - i.e. ShoeDazzle is dangerous. The two pictures above are my #1 picks!

Here's what ShoeDazzle has to say about itself:

ShoeDazzle is the original online personal-styling innovator treating millions of women to a monthly showroom filled with on-trend, personalized shoe and accessory recommendations.
By building an intimate, customized experience through creative innovation, social engagement and world-class service, ShoeDazzle aspires to make women feel pampered and beautiful.
Fashion icon, designer, and world-renowned stylist Rachel Zoe serves as the company’s Chief Stylist. The company’s founders include Brian Lee, Robert Shapiro, Kim Kardashian and MJ Eng.

So here's how it works: You take a fun quiz so ShoeDazzle can get to know your style and based on the results of the quiz, ShoeDazzle gives you your first showroom of shoes and handbags they think you’ll love. At the beginning of every month you will receive a new selection that fits your individual style, and as new styles get added to the site throughout the month, they continue to tailor your personalized recommendations!


I don't know about you, but I love styling quizzes. It's worth it to take the quiz just to see what a professional stylist would pick for you to wear and sometimes it helps you look at something in a new way. And hey, free professional styling? Who couldn't use that!

And so here's another perk: if you make a purchase within 2 days of taking the quiz you get 25% off your order! YES PLEASE!

This post was sponsored by ShoeDazzle.com.